Jordan Andow

August 17, 2026

Video Game Reviews, pc, playstation, xbox

Mortal Shell II

Jordan Andow

August 17, 2026

Video Game Reviews, pc, playstation, xbox

Mortal Shell II is my favorite Soulslike since Elden Ring, and considering the titles that have released since then, it’s my highest recommendation that I can make. Cold Symmetry knew the assignment, and absolutely nailed it.

Analog Stick Gaming is a Open Critic Partner.

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The Sinking City 2

The Sinking City 2 moves away from the detective style that Frogwares has mastered over the years to the realm of Survival Horror. As Calvin is attempting to perform a ritual to bring his beloved back, Lovecraftian horrors interject and take him on a morbid and gory journey to fight for his love.

Mortal Shell II

Pet Survivors

Pet Survivors, developed by Vergiu Games and published by Eastasiasoft, joins an incredibly over-saturated market in the survivors genre. However, its simplicity and reliance on pets does give it an edge when leaning into the younger player. I just wish it had a bit more going on when it came to its combat.

Wild Blue Skies

While there is a ton of enjoyment to have here, you're generally enjoying it due to what's been lifted from Star Fox, and not from the game itself. If Wild Blue Skies wants to make any sort of impact with a follow-up, then it needs to barrel-roll into something unique, or risk living in Star Fox’s shadow.

Panzer Knights: Commander's Edition

Panzer Knights feels incredibly lacking, and not just in its basic visuals, as the colorful nature of its environments and the bantering of its anime girls does have some appeal, but it feels shallow and lacking any depth.

Farlands

Farlands takes the genre into space. As you manage your little planetoid, travel the galaxy to meet new people, upgrade your ship, and trade in supplies, you will make your homestead thrive, albeit in a strange alien world.

Beast of Reincarnation

Game Freak has spent decades being almost entirely associated with Pokémon, but Beast of Reincarnation represents something considerably more ambitious. This post-apocalyptic action RPG takes inspiration from games such as NieR: Automata and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, combining fast-paced combat, open-ended exploration, crafting, progression systems, and a canine companion who quickly becomes one of the strongest parts of the entire experience.

Starbites

Starbites marks the console debut of IkinaGames, as they have finally pushed into the console space with their sci-fi turn-based action title, Starbites. While a strong story and endearing characters truly shine through, the excessively repetitive combat and drab environments sadly drag down this could-be classic.

Beastro

When you think of fantasy adventures you think of heroes wielding swords, using magic and fighting off creatures and numerous elements of evil. However, we never really think of the ones behind the scenes who help keep the fighters in good health, allowing them to be able to do what they do on a daily basis. That idea, is where Beastro differs from the rest.

Granblue Fantasy Relink: Endless Ragnarok

Endless Ragnarok certainly entertains, even without a strong emphasis on its narrative, which I feel is a very noticeable blemish here. Combat, new encounters, or remixed ones, and the added features to kit out your characters are the strongest elements that make this DLC really worth it.

The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu

The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu has incredible promise, but its execution seems like the team was punching well above their weight. This feels like something that should have been in early access or development for a few more months, not to mention a proper pass for console optimization.

Monster Rush Survivors

Monster Rush Survivors has entered a very busy genre, one that has some strong contenders for being at the top. Sadly, there really isn't anything it does to be unique to really convince you that it is worth your time, not when so many other options have significantly better depth and progression.

Echoes of Aincrad: Sword Art Online

The world of Aincrad is at your finger tips in Echoes of Aincrad, the latest game in the Sword Art Online universe. As the full release is underway, you’ll encounter allies who share in a secret quest that will save Aincrad from total destruction.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is the classic Zelda alternative that players have wanted for years. It captures everything that made traditional top-down action-adventure games so special, including rewarding exploration, memorable dungeons, clever puzzles, satisfying progression, and an endless stream of secrets to discover.

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced

If you haven't already dipped into Black Flag’s waters, then you're in for a treat. It's not only an impressive Assassin's Creed title, but easily one of, if not, the best pirate game to sail the seven seas. The improvements here are solid additions across the board, with upgrades and quality of life improvements that took a game that was already impressive and have made it just so much better.

Dead or Alive 6: Last Round

While there are some notable inclusions here, DOA 5 Last Round had an upgrade path and offered considerably more. I can see new fans getting their money's worth here, but fans who have already invested time and money into DOA 6 may not see the benefits of buying it all over again.

NBA The Run

NBA THE RUN isn't a complete disaster, as there are moments of genuine fun, especially with friends, but they're too few and too far between to make up for the repetitive gameplay and lack of content. Fans of arcade sports games may find some enjoyment here, but most players will likely move on after the novelty wears off.

Dracamar

Dracamar has a nice idea of what it wants to be, I just don't think the feel of the game matches its charm. Its platforming is serviceable, and the transformations of Oki can be interesting, but Dracamar chooses the safest path at every opportunity.

LumenTale: Memories of Trey

With a great soundtrack, and a snappy battle system, LumenTale: Memories of Trey excels as being one of the better Pokémon style games, even if a few edges are rough and a true lack of originality hovers over the experience. Still, if you're looking for this type of game, do to Pokémon feeling a bit stale from year to year, few do it better.

EA Sports UFC 6

UFC 6 doesn't reinvent the franchise, but it adds enough to freshen up the experience. Instead of making sweeping changes, EA Vancouver has focused on improving the areas that matter most. The result is a game that feels more authentic, more accessible, and more enjoyable to play than its predecessor.

Gothic Remake

007 First Light

IO Interactive has really pulled off the best Bond game to date, giving us depth to a character that often is just regulated to being a generic action hero. Gibson's Bond is what you'd want from an origin story, as he is a Bond that feels perfect for the modern age.

Coffee Talk: Tokyo

Coffee Talk: Tokyo is an amazing experience on the whole. The bright colors and collection of interesting characters invite you in. The many lives and stories that gravitate around the coffee shop are full of heart and expertly written. I was invested from start to finish and I looked forward to what was going to happen every time the bell chimed when the door was opened

Yerba Buena

Yerba Buena is a story-based puzzle platformer. You may be wielding a gun-like device, but there is no combat here. This is something more similar to Portal where the story and puzzle mechanics go hand in hand. It doesn't always impress with its puzzles, as some can drag on for far too long.

Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus II

Mechanicus II does feel largely safe when it comes to the whole package as there are no big swings to really shake things up, and that will either work for those who simply wanted more, or frustrate fans who wanted something drastically bigger and better after all these years.

Life Below

In all, Life below is a fun and calm take on the city builder genre that I personally enjoy. From the clean visuals, fun gameplay, and beautiful audio. Life below is a fun experience that any who like the city build genre can have fun playing.

Luna Abyss

Luna Abyss’ strength may not be its originality, but it weaves multiple genres and shooters together to craft one of the most engaging titles this year. Fawkes and the collective stories that are presented here come to life with strong writing and brilliant performances, with twists and turns that are genuinely pulled off to sheer perfection. I adored Luna Abyss, and simply want more.

The Tag-Along Obsession

The Tag-Along Osession, developed by LuLuDu Tech, is a dark atmospheric horror game based on a Taiwanese urban legend. It's about facing the terrifying unknown to break a life oppressing curse that threatens to swallow you whole.

Forza Horizon 6

Forza Horizon 6 does exactly what fans expect it to do. It delivers a massive open world packed with beautiful scenery, an absurd number of cars, and some of the best arcade racing gameplay available today.

Directive 8020

Sent on a mission to save Earth, the team on the Cassiopeia crash land on a hellish alien planet only to be stalked by a threat that can take their form and infiltrate the crew. As they attempt to survive, to hold out until help can arrive, they will learn that they can trust no one.